Fan Fiction |
by Bunny Ears & Nhu
Leila had never expected that Jared would put so much into the party. It was just a celebration of their reunion, and she didn't see the need to invite so many people, especially ones that hadn't been involved. But as soon as she moved her gaze to see the exuberant face of her father, she knew that he only wanted to spread his joy. And she didn't blame him.
Ever since she arrived, so many things had happened, and so many things done. It was even a headache to replay what had happened over the past two months. There was a time when she thought that it would be better off if she had stayed back in the States, but there was no denying that her time here had taught her a lot, and even shaped her to who she was.
"Leila?" Tavia's voice travelled to her ears, and Leila whipped on her heel. "What are you standing there for?" She asked. Then it came to her realization that Leila was in her usual outfit, which was a bit... well odd, since she was expecting Leila would dress up for the event. Not that she was that surprised though. She had never seen Leila dressed up before, anyway. She wasn't even sure if Leila's wardrobe had anything else.
"Oh, nothing... When is the party starting?" Leila asked.
"Soon, I suppose," Tavia said, sending looks around, before she turned her head back to Leila, raising eyebrows. "But I hope you're not planning to stick to that outfit for the whole night."
"What do you mean? I'm always dressed like this," Leila fumbled, confusion deepening the lines in her forehead.
"That's the problem." Tavia enunciated the last word with careful deliberation. "You're supposed to dress in something different... It's a party, hello?" Tavia chuckled in amusement, and looped her arms with Leila's. "Well, it's not the end of the world, though. Just come with me, and I'll lend you something nice to change into."
"That's not necessary," Leila immediately refused, shaking her head. "I... won't be able to pull it off. Nicely."
"Aw. Since when did you become so shy?"
"Not shy. I just don't wanna." Stubbornness danced in Leila's eyes as she stayed persistant. "I don't feel the need to impress anybody, or steal the limelight, for that matter."
Tavia rolled her eyes, and tugged on the sleeves of Leila's sweater. "But you're the main character tonight. Even if you're dressed like a boy, you're still going to get the attention, anyway. So why not glamor yourself up? You don't want to embarrass your dad, do you?"
"Even if I don't want to dress, doesn't mean you can make fun of me."
"I'm not making fun of you, but face it. Who in blazes wear those kind of stuff to a party? A grand one, especially."
Leila didn't move.
"Come on!" Tavia prodded endlessly. She curled her fingers around Leila's forearm and began dragging her. At first, it was hard, but gradually, Leila's stiffened muscles finally gave in.
They were back in their apartment in a few short minutes. Tavia hurriedly pulled Leila into her room, skidded to the closest, and began throwing out dresses onto the bed. Long, short, sexy, plain--just about every kind of dress was laid out in front of Leila, making her gape in surprise how the closet could hold so much content.
"So make your pick, Leila," Tavia finally fished out the last dress and held it against her, playing with the soft fabric material as she spoke. "There are all kinds of dresses here. I'm sure one of them should fit you. If not, we can venture in Rain's wardrobe."
"I don't think she'll be very pleased, though," Leila remarked, stepping up to examine the dresses. "I don't know, Tavia... I don't want to wear them."
"We're not going through this again," Tavia sternly stared. "Since we're here, we're not leaving until you have something nice on."
Leila expunged a sigh. Why, oh why did she even succumb to Tavia in the first place? Now it was almost impossible to get out of the mess.
Seeing that Leila wasn't moving, Tavia picked up an evening dress. "How about this one? Oh, wait, maybe it's too long. We should pick one that's suitable for your height." She picked up another one from the stack. "OH! This would look great! Not too fancy, and not too plain. Just right eh?" It was a white graceful dress with an interesting uneven hemline and gathered strapless top ornamentaded with gold designs. "Here, take it. Go change. Now."
Did Leila have a choice? "Fine," Leila finally said. "Just this once." And with that, she disappeared into the bathroom.
Tavia gaped in surprise when Leila came out, all dressed. Tavia never expected Leila to look so glamorous. Instantly, she dashed to the shorter girl, and shrieked. "Oh my god! It looks fantastic on you!"
Leila stood there, uncomfortable. The material of the dress was clinging to her curves, and it stopped right at her knees, revealing the rest of her legs.
[To see Leila's dress, go to http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/5491/img8612jpgrandeqw8.jpg]
"Something doesn't look right, though," Tavia continued, inspecting as she placed a finger on her chin. "Oh, right! Heels! How can I forget such a simple thing?" With a grip of her hand, Tavia hauled Leila back into the room, and dug under her bed. She pulled out a shoebox. "Here. This will go well with your dress." She opened it, revealing a pair of five inch single band classic heels.
"Oh no..." Leila murmured.
Tavia chuckled. "You don't think I'll let you go with those sneakers do you?"
Leila nearly stumbled over her own feet when she tried to walk in those high heels. Tavia chuckled from aside, and Leila rolled her eyes. "OK. I've never really worn heels before, so I'm just trying to get the feeling here." After a few moments, she moved with an easier lumber that belied her complaint about the ache in her ankles. Tavia was beginning to wonder if Leila was lying about the fact she had never worn heels before, but hastily dismissed her internal questions.
"OK, OK," Tavia said, nodding her head. "I understand." She pulled Leila over to the dressor, and pushed her down on the seat. "Now, it's time for make-up."
Leila's eyes widened. "What? Isn't this enough already?"
"What do you think?"
"I don't even know why--"
"Don't you want to impress Bosco?" Tavia used the chance and asked.
The implication of those words sent Leila into a fit of shock, and she almost shot up from the seat, if not for the heels that were putting pressure in her feet. "What? Now where did you get that idea from? Why would I want to impress that pighead?"
"Come on... I mean, after what he's done, aren't you a tad... touched?" Tavia asked, looking at Leila's reflection in the mirror. She placed her hands on Leila's shoulders, bending lower. "You know how he feels about you... Have you ever thought of giving him a chance?" Hope danced in Tavia's eyes.
"I..."
"Tell the truth, Leila."
"No... I never actually thought of it," Leila confessed.
"Why?"
"Because... We don't get along well. We don't match. Period."
Tavia rolled her eyes, not believing her ears. "In the beginning, yes, but things changed. And I'm sure your feelings have too." The uncertainty in Leila's eyes was obvious. If only there was a way to extinguish it, Tavia would jump at the opportuinity. But no. That wasn't her job. "He's a good guy, Leila. Don't let him escape." Tavia shot Leila a wink.
"But you don't understand... I can't...." Leila murmured, unknown to Tavia.
Leila turned around, and looked up at Tavia with a grin. "Then how about you and Raymond? Don't tell me you haven't realized his feelings. Everyone knows! Except you two! Who happened to don't be too stubborn and shy to admit!" At the mention of Raymond, Tavia's cheeks turned crimson red, displaying her feelings about the matter. Leila couldn't help but chuckle lightly.
"Leila..." Tavia's devilish chuckle was rendering Leila confused. "I'm sorry to make you the last person to know... but I'm going with Raymond now. We're together."
"WHAT!" Shocked, Leila could only gawk at Tavia. "Y-you... should've told me earlier!"
Tavia laughed. "I know... I'm sorry. It's just that I didn't have a chance to talk to you until now." She glanced at the clock in the corner, and let out a grasp. "Oh my god. We're losing track of time. Let's finish you up." Tavia gestured Leila to turn around before she started applying make-up. When she was done, she stared in satisfaction at Leila's reflection. "You're stunning tonight, Leila. Now, don't you even dare wash my hard work away, all right?"
Leila chuckled, and nodded. "Consider me suitably warned."
~
So far, so good. Ella was wandering around the lobby in fascination. Never in her life had she been to such fancy, well-decorated places. Her eyes shot open in glee when she spot a table of food in the distance. Quickly skidding over, she poured herself some punch, drinking down the contents of her drink in one big gulp, even if that earned her a few weird stares shooting her way. She was so thirsty!
The trickle of voices from the other end of the hall showed no indication of lessening. Laughter and light conversation drifted along atmosphere. It was lively.
"Hey! Don't consume all the punch! Be considerate of others, will ya?" A familiar voice shouted behind her, making her whip on her heels in a heart beat.
"R-Ron!" Ella stuttered, embarrassed as she wiped the stains of punch she felt at the corner of her mouth. "I wasn't consuming all the punch! I swear! See? There's still like a gallon or something left!"
Ron chuckled, and rolled his eyes. "Relax. I was just kidding ya."
"Oh," Ella said, blushing. "Um, do you want some? I'll pour you a cup." Ron didn't even have a chance to reply before she whirled around.
He stepped beside her. "Uh, thanks," he said when she handed him the cup. He took a sip. "You're early. The party hasn't even started yet."
"So are you," Ella replied with a smile. "Well, you know, Raymond left early for the preparations, so it's hard not to notice. The moment I knew there was going to be a party, I just couldn't wait!"
Ron chuckled. Her liveliness never ceased to amuse him. "Yeah," Ron said. Then after a few moments of silence, he continued. "It's like so many things have happened that the party almost seems surreal. You would never expect Leila to reconcile with her Dad the first time you meet her."
"You're right," Ella nodded in agreement. "But that doesn't matter anymore. What does is the present. They finally reunited as a family. Everything is finally starting to be right."
"Yup." There came a moment of silence when the both of them were feeling unease.
Ella fumbled with her purse nervously. She was clad in a lavender evening dress and although she had received many compliments, she still didn't feel pretty enough.
"Stop fidgeting. You're pretty enough." He seemed to have read her thoughts. Ella's cheeks reddened immediately. Gosh, how embarrassing.
"Um, you look nice too."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Come on, do I need you to tell me that?"
"Well um--"
"You're such a dork."
Ella blushed, almost tearing her purse apart. Her hand fished for something in there and when she found it, she immediately pulled it out. "Um, for you, I thought you'd like it."
If there wasn't anything in the world that could surprise Ron, then this would break that ironclad rule. "A car model?" He furrowed his eyebrows slightly, showing a little too much scorn.
His expression did the most heartbreaking job. It tore her. "Yeah, I saw you had a lot of car models in your room and I thought--" Ella's mouth immediately when miles per hour as frantic shook her nerves.
"I don't like car models to be exact. I'd rather have a real car."
His remark tossed her off the line of regularity. "Well, if you don't like it, then I'll take it back. But um, I don't think I can ever fulfill your wish with my current bank..."
Ron laughed with a tinge of zeal. "I was just kidding. Those car models aren't mine, actually. They're Bosco's." Upon that disappointed look that seemed to be injected with doubled misery, Ron quickly added, "But I'll take it. Thanks."
Happiness drowsed her the way drugs would. Rarely would he ever showed her words of thanks. Every word he tossed her would either dripped with sarcasm or a sense of criticism that Ella found it hard to endure time and time again, but of course, she had never shown any reactions that would reveal her forlorn soul. Could this mean, he finally accepted her? The thought was sudden but a burst of motivation erupted inside her like flaming fireworks, igniting her will to finally ask him once and for all.
"Um, Ron?" Her soft voice beckoned for his undivided attention. When he looked at her with those eyes, she could feel her heart lurched out of her ribcage like a ruthless beast. "Well it has been around more than a month since I came to Hong Kong, and to be honest, I love it here. I love it so much. It would be so nice if I could spend the rest of my time here with someone I genuinely, and truly like... Ron, I hope you understand what I'm saying..." Never once had she spoken words that held so much saccharine emotions, the sweetness was threatening to swallow her up.
Silence swept in.
The music was beginning to fill up the air.
Ella fidgeted.
"Give me more time."
And she never saw him again that night.
~
"Stop tugging your dress. It's fine," Tavia assured, chuckling softly at Leila's display of shyness. "You have a great body. It doesn't hurt to show it off in awhile, right?"
"Just what size do you wear, anyway?" The tightness of the dress made Leila wonder, and she couldn't help the temptation to ask. "It's practically choking my air passageway."
"I think you might be wearing one of my old dresses. Like three years ago, probably," Tavia replied, looking ahead as they approached the hotel. "Look, there's Raymond. You know what that means?"
Leila rolled her eyes with careful deliberation. "Yes. Now go."
"You'll forgive me, right?"
"Raymond's staring suspiciously at us now. If you don't start moving now, I'm going to have to beg him for forgiveness later." Leila said with a light chuckle.
Tavia laughed at the remark. "He's not that mean. All right, enjoy yourself tonight, Leila," Tavia said, smiling faintly. Upon recognizing Leila's occasional glances toward the parking lot, Tavia smirked, and then giggled as she leaned over and whispered into Leila's ears. "In case if you're wondering, Bosco's arriving in about ten minutes." With a naughty wink, Tavia quickly sauntered off before Leila could pull her back for that.
The rawness of the night bit at her skin, sending tiny tremors down her spine. Leila quickly hastened her pace, and went inside the lobby. She was surprised how full it had gotten. Perhaps all the guests had arrived.
A few glances were shooting her way, and Leila was beginning to think that there was something wrong with the way she looked. There was a moment she regretted dressing so fancy. All doubts and discomfort quickly dispensed when she caught a glimpse of Bosco making his entrance, his presence marking with confidence.
"Hey," Bosco greeted, approaching her, eyes sweeping down in unutterable fascination. "I... I almost couldn't recognize you," he said, the shock still lingering in his tone.
Why did she feel a bit weird?
"Um, whatever..." she replied. Leila didn't know what to say exactly.
He chuckled. "You're supposed to say thank you. Not whatever. You look like a lady for once, but still, so unladylike."
Maybe she shouldn't have dressed up at all. Not only did she invite discomfort, she even welcomed teases with wide arms. "Maybe you forgot that I'm not supposed to be ladylike?"
He still had that smile on his expression, as if he couldn't wash it off. Leila thought she might need a sponge. "Can I have the honor to dance with the beauty tonight?"
The reminiscence of that night swept her mind. She remembered how it was being his arms, his grace, and his lead, but when she thought about that kiss... Leila shook her head violently, feeling the need to dump her head in a bucket of cold water coursing through her veins. "Um, why don't we get a drink first? I'm thirsty like hell."
"Fix your crude language!"
Leila rolled her eyes. "All of the sudden, you're my dictator?"
Bosco grinned. "I'd like to be."
"Dream on."
They both approached the food table. Leila wasn't really hungry to say the truth, but she forked herself plate of chicken salad and dressing.
Bosco started at her disbelievingly. "You're going to eat that at a party?"
Leila shrugged. "I think these fit my stomach more than those luxurious foods."
There was a silence as they walked towards a table. The music was loud, but somehow, the quietness between them was so deafeningly louder that Leila felt suffocated. What was he thinking? He wasn't even drinking the glass of wine in his hands.
"Do I fit your stomach?"
Leila choked, coughed, throttled, and all of those other words that could describe her utter surprise. Bosco even had to help her with patting her back to soothe her cracking throat. "There, there. Did I give you a fright?"
Leila collected herself. Don't be such a fool! She hissed at herself. "Uh, yes, I mean no."
"Is that the answer to my first or second question? Or is it two answers to my two questions respectively?"
Leila sucked in a huge breath. "I'm going back to the States."
Those words took a whole deal of effort to spit out. It harbored a deadly awkward silence that put them in the most uncomfortable positions.
"What?" Bosco's voice was bearly audible against the slow music.
"You heard me. I'm going back to the states to pursue my law degree. I figured it would be better for me to study over there." Leila thought she would always remember that strikingly unforgettable disappointed face of his. It was almost as if a diagnosis of a critical disease was just announced. "I wasn't planning to stay here at all when I first came." His silence was killing her. Why couldn't he say anything? Did he actually enjoy her nervousness in attempting to give him a reasonable explanation?
"Why are you telling me this now?" His raspy voice broke her thoughts.
Leila was snapped back to reality. "W-what?"
"Why do you always have to be so... honest?" There was no mistake in his quivering voice.
"I-- I don't understand what you're trying to say--"
"You could have saved it for later. You ruined everything."
Leila gaped at him, it utter disbelief. "Oh, so you're saying I shouldn't have said nothing at all? You were grating my neck! With your stupid questions. 'Do I fit your stomach'?" Leila's voice contained an oozing sting. "What did you expect me to say? Sorry, but I don't like you?"
"At least that would do me better."
Leila shot up from her seat, almost smashing her salad into someone's face. "That's what you want?"
"Sure. If it's true."
"The thing is, it's not!"
Her loud voice was beginning to attract attention but Leila didn't give a damn. The wetness in her eyes made Leila tear her gaze away from him. God! Not again! Stupid tears! Stupid weakness!
Bosco slowly got off his seat. Leila's breathing was abnormal; harsh, rough, and fast. Her reaction was so different from what he expected he had to contemplate her for a while before his hands slowly slithered around her waist. In only an instant, he had effortlessly pulled her into his embrace.
Leila gasped with astonishment, feeling his hot breaths against the nape of her neck. Her heart was beating fast, loudly, deafeningly. She was sure he could hear it. In fact, the whole world could hear it. "W-what are you doing?"
"You really mean it?"
He was referring to what she said earlier and Leila was hesitant to answer. What good would it do if she answered truthfully? She asked herself. Would that actually cut all of his hopes and silly dreams? Silence found its way to settle in her voice while reluctance and indecision tore her apart.
"Answer me." His voice was soft, but it contained a commanding supremacy.
Leila pulled away hastily, her abruptive movement giving him a slight surprise, and even disillusionment. "No, I didn't mean it. It was just a slip."
He glared at her, so harshly. It held accusations. "That's a stupid lie."
"No it's not."
"And you're trying to keep the act. Why do you always have to appear, so... pathetic?"
"Look, don't you dare go there again--"
"You can't even admit to things you really feel. I'm so disappointed in you, Leila."
"Stop it!"
"You led me on with that kiss. All of those actions, even those eyes you gave me--"
"I said, stop it!" Leila shrieked mulishly, emotions battering her brain brutally.
Suddenly, it came. That overwhelming sensation, that striking touch.
Leila tried to push him off, but he had his lips locked tightly onto hers and even was trapping her in his unremovable arms. She tried to struggle and rip her mouth away from his but he wouldn't let her. She wanted to slap him but she was in no position to. But her effort to resist ceased when she was forced to indulge in the sweetness of his kiss. Her eyes slowly closed and unawaringly, her arms went about his neck, pulling him even closer. Leila was no where near rationality, but she was closer as ever to the depth of her heart. Under his magnetizing charms, she surrendered her soul.
They pulled away, out of breaths. Leila's heart was thrashing whimsically. Someone needs to remind her how to breathe because in only a minute, she had forgotten to.
He touched her hair, making her mind shut flatly. It had been pulled back into a bun with curly strands framing about her face so his hands could freely feel the skin of her neck and bare shoulders. She had never felt so enraptured surreally. The feeling was so entirely new to her as had the concept of reunion. "Have I ever told you, you look like someone I know from the past?" Bosco's sudden question inflated her questioning gazes. The wonderment on her face spawned a cuteness that Bosco grew to adore.
"Who?" she asked, her expression scrunched up. She resembled an innocent child.
"She's someone I had a huge crush on."
His words embittered her in a way she never knew he could. Leila felt like someone had splashed cold water onto her.
"I still love her 'til this day."
Leila could feel a hotness warping her head. She was getting a bit edgy, and she even demonstrated with turning herself around. "I need to use the restroom."
"Go running away, again, like you always do, Leila." His words were slow, like a drawl.
She inhaled a long breath and whipped back around. "What do you want me to do, really? What do you want me to say?"
"She's you, idiot."
The look on Leila was priceless. Surprise chilled her to the bones.
"From the first time I've seen you, I had this odd feeling that I had known you. I met her back in the States one day. I wasn't so sure that you were her but I had strong feelings about it. Today rightfully proved my assumptions."
There was a pause. Then...
"Are you kidding me, Bosco Wong? You think I'm a three year old kid?" She shrilled. "I don't even remember meeting you! If you think you can just sweet talked like that to me like to any other girls you've been with, then you're wrong."
"Stop with the temper. I'm serious."
"That day at the airport was the first time I met you."
"Look, just forget it okay?"
Leila bit her lips. "You brought it up."
"Well it doesn't matter if you're her or not. She's apart of my past and apart of me, but that doesn't mean I can't let her go." Bosco pulled her away from the table and towards the food again, all the while, Leila plastered on a befuddled expression.
"Can the cakes fit your stomach today? Sure it may seemed unhealthy and fatty, but hey if you love it, that's all it matters. You might not be able to taste it again."
Leila stared at him in amazement, and then, her action completely surprised him. She grabbed the plate of cake away from him and tapped on a neighbor. "Hey, you want this plate of cake? I don't want it."
Bosco gazed at her, disorientation choking his need to breathe as hurt slowly rose to his face.
Leila smiled at him, her eyes a sparkling of mischief. "I already have my own."
And with that, she pulled him into another long kiss.
Although the night was old, their love was relatively young. But its age didn't necessarily marked the limits of their affections.
It may be the last night.
The last kiss.
But it wasn't the least.
The night was rich and fabulous.
End.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi guys! Sorry it took us a while to pump out this last chapter. but YES IT'S FINALLY FINISHED!!!!!!!!!! Hope everyone enjoyed it. It sounded a bit incomplete, yes, but happily ever after doesn't exist in reality, and such is the case for Ron and Ella's relationship. But thank you so much everyone for your support and hanging on with us til the end. (:
Please leave us your final comments! We would like to hear everyone's opinion about this story, what you liked most, what you hated. Please help us improve!!
Also, what do you guys think of a story casting Ron, Ella, Linda, Bosco, Leila, and Raymond? We're sorta deciding to shrift the main focus this time on Ron, Ella, and Linda, but then we're not sure if that would be what you guys want. we'd like to hear your opinions.
anyways, THANKS ONCE AGAIN and HOPE TO SEE YOU ONE FINAL TIME IN RAF'S COMMENT PAGE!!!!
SILENT READERS - Remember to drop something, a line or even a word --anything, to let us know that you've read. Please? =)
Love,
Nhu & Bunny Ears
[October 7, 2006]